Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is the most common disease. Equally lumbar osteochondrosis affected both men and women. Many people are familiar with back pain. At least once, everyone felt the manifestations of lumbar degenerative disc disease causing pain in the sacrum, loins or lower extremities, usually called a "pinched nerve in the back."
Causes of degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine
It is considered that the main cause of degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is in the upright posture. However, without precipitating factors such as physical inactivity, violations of metabolic processes in the body, the disease would not happen. Also degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine can be caused by excess weight, heavy lifting and low for other reasons.
The main source of pain in osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is a pinched nerve roots that occurs due to the narrowing of the intervertebral gap and the appearance of prolapse (protrusion of the intervertebral disc). Such changes can occur due to the deterioration of power, violations of metabolic processes in the tissues of intervertebral disks, leading to a gradual shrinkage and flattening of the nucleus pulposus of the disc and reduce its cushioning.
In the process of development of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine becomes more significant bulging of the disc, leading initially to the formation of the protrusion, and then to the formation of the hernia due to rupture of the fibrous ring that holds the contents of the CD in place.
Emerging a pinched spinal nerve in the presence of degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine causes pain, titles sciatica.
Sciatica occurs when pain is accompanied by numbness of the lower extremities. Depending on the location and nature of them can be divided into lumbago and sciatica. When a pinched nerve occurs its inflammation, we are talking about sciatica. Treatment of sciatica with pain medications (ointments) should be symptomatic and essentially is not effective, because the cause of the disease - dystrophic processes in the tissues of intervertebral disks - no effect. To eliminate the pain and prevent complications of lumbar osteochondrosis it is necessary to use comprehensive treatment effects for the intensification of tissue regeneration drives, restore the normal height of the intervertebral discs and the normalization of their physiological parameters.
Due to the fact that this spine have a significant load, osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine can lead to complications such as herniation and protrusions, which have a large spread and develop very quickly. Therefore, early treatment of the disease is particularly important. And because when symptoms persist, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine for the first time should not hesitate to pay for qualified medical help and undergo a complete examination.
Symptoms of degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine
Compression of spinal nerve roots by disc herniation in the epidural space in osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
The epidural space is the space where the spinal roots. The symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis correspond to the affected segment of the spine.
- The defeat of roots of L1, L2 with lumbar degenerative disc disease causes severe radicular pain and impaired sensitivity in the so-called zone of "rider pants" - in the upper third of the inner thighs and groin area. When complications of lumbar osteochondrosis development of a hernia, MRI-signs of which is posterior or posterior-lateral location, the pain occurs in both legs.
- The defeat of the spine L5 lumbar osteochondrosis leads to a decrease in sensitivity, severe shooting pains in the lower back and radiating to her thumb, and in some cases reduced the power extensor of the thumb.
- Defeat the root S1 with lumbar osteochondrosis is expressed shooting pain and the subsequent reduction of the sensitivity of the external surface of the femur and tibia, and foot to the little finger and fourth finger. With the defeat of S1 occurs the loss of the plantar and Achilles reflexes.
Lose artery Depro of Gotteron
With the defeat of arteries Depro-gotteron of the symptoms of degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine similar to the symptoms of myelogenous and Kautokeino "intermittent claudication". With chronic low back pain the lumbar spine can cause paralysis of the buttocks and lower legs, loss of sensation in the anogenital region. Lose extra artery that goes with the root L5 or S, may cause development of syndrome of "crippling sciatica" (unilateral or bilateral) and loss of motor and pelvic functions.
Compression-vascular ischaemia (malaisamy) in osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine can connect to receive the compression-vascular ischaemia (malaisamy), which is a violation of blood supply of the spinal cord, its peripheral structures due to the reduction of the intervertebral holes through which arteries and blood vessels. It POV associated with a flattening of the discs (decrease their height), abnormal excessive mobility of the spine at the weakened relationship ties, with the formation of neoarthrosis and osteophytes. What movement of the spine affecting the damaged segment, causing additional compression and trauma to the clamped vessel or artery. In addition, it may be a reflex contraction of the vessel, which passes through a compression hole of the spinal canal – the connection appears to the effect of "the narrow bed".
Compressive myelopathy
Compressive myelopathy is a spinal cord lesion caused by narrowing of the for some reason the spinal canal. The severity of the injury and its symptoms depend on the localization of the lesion. In most cases, the course and symptoms of the disease are episodic nature, for another attack should the remission.
Symptoms of degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, which is complicated by the development of disc herniation TXII-LI, causing the defeat of the segments L2-L4, S1-S2 spinal cord (syndrome epigonus): pain of the lumbar region, back of the thighs, calves and weakness in the legs. The development of hypotension and hypotrophy gluteal and calf muscles, paresis of the foot, loss of the plantar and Achilles reflexes. Sensitivity posteroexternal surface of the leg and foot is reduced or absent.
Symptoms of lumbar degenerative disc disease with a herniated disc LI-II compression coccygeal segment S3 syndrome (cone): the leading clinical manifestations include severe disruption of the pelvic organs, such as urinary incontinence and fecal incontinence, intermittent with constipation, reduction or loss of sensation in the anogenital region, the rapid development of bedsores, loss of the anal reflex.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, which is complicated by the compression or damage to nerve roots the spinal cord starting from the first lumbar and lower, developing a condition called "cauda equina syndrome". It should be noted that this condition is more prone to people who initially have a congenital narrow spinal canal.
So the title of "horse tail" is a bundle of nerve roots end of the spinal cord starting from the first lumbar segment and below. The name of the bundle received due to similarity of appearance with a ponytail. When diagnosing cauda equina syndrome a decisive role in addition to topical symptoms is the presence of painful white severe pain radicular nature. The cauda equina is different from the syndrome of the cone, which can be severe pain.
Excruciating and intense pain in the lumbar region and the sacrum, is given in the buttock, in the posteroexternal surface of the thighs, in the anogenital region. Marked in different degrees of disturbances of the peripheral type of pelvic functions, the compound is numbness in strips, peripheral paralysis and paresis. In more severe cases become paralyzed buttocks and both legs. Characteristic clinical features include asymmetry of motor and sensory disorders.
Symptoms of lumbar degenerative disc disease are manifested depending on the location of the lesion
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine can lead to the development of the syndrome myelogenous "intermittent claudication". In this case, the lack of blood supply to the lower parts of the spinal cord is manifested by a feeling of weakness in the legs while walking, numbness of the lower torso, the urge to urinate. No pain in the legs. These symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis disappear at rest.
Yudovina "intermittent claudication", occurs when ischemia of the roots of the cauda equina: felt tingling and chills when walking, anemia in peripheral parts of the legs, gradually these symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis rise above, grab the groin, perineum, genitals. The compound is weakness in the legs. A short rest leads to rapid disappearance of symptoms.
For lumbar osteochondrosis is complicated by the compression of an artery of Adamkewicz that occurs when weight lifting, bad movement, shaking and manifests itself clinically by paralysis of varying severity (from the surface to a complete loss of sensitivity), disorders of pelvic organs (incontinence of urine and feces), atrophy of the leg muscles, the rapid appearance of bedsores.
Manifestations of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
Manifested degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine dull aching pain in the lower back outside the period of exacerbation. The pain may worsen due to prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position or stress. When making a recumbent position the pain is reduced or completely pass.
In stressful for the body situations, for example, at high loads, hypothermia, and even at sudden awkward movements osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine can go into the acute stage. Acute stage is characterized by severe pain that can be localized not only in the lumbar spine, but also spread to the lower limbs. Also you may experience tension of the muscles of the waist, so the body tries to reduce the burden on the patients spine. Khvorov lumbar osteochondrosis in the acute stage often have to look for the camp where the pain is weakening, and try to keep it this way.
Anatomically osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is the conversion of cartilage into bone and overgrowth, resulting in bone tissue starts to compress the nerve roots extending from the spinal cord that causes pain. The reason for this growth of bone tissue is the malnutrition of the intervertebral discs, which leads to a lack of fluid and it causes a disruption in their functioning and structure.
Treatment of degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is a disease that requires long, intensive, comprehensive treatment. This is particularly true in advanced cases, in which there are multiple protrusion or intervertebral hernia.
Thanks reflex techniques, effective treatment of degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine can be carried out with maximum benefit and without side effects. But it must be remembered that such a serious problem can not be solved quickly. In all cases of lumbar osteochondrosis should be assigned strictly individual treatment.
The basis of treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine are acupuncture, Moxa-therapy, vacuum therapy, pharmacopuncture, soft techniques of manual therapy. These treatments combined provide the ability to restore normal blood circulation and eliminate stagnation in the region of the lumbar, vascular edema and m of asovih spasms, restore the balance of metabolic processes in the tissues of intervertebral disks, improving their nutrition. Thus, starts and stimulates the process of natural regeneration. It should be noted that the ongoing manual therapy in lumbar osteochondrosis can only be directed at improving function of the spine, as well as the reposition of the disc cannot be considered.
Application procedures for the treatment of degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine completes the reception of herbal remedies that can improve balance of metabolic processes and nerve supply in the body. In addition, the necessary correction power and an active lifestyle. In the treatment of degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is important is the correction of body weight, since being overweight puts extra strain on the lower back and serve as a factor that exacerbates the development of osteochondrosis.
Large experience in the treatment of degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, the accumulated long-term practice, in most cases allows to achieve significant results, being quite persistent, which prevents surgery, eliminates back pain, improves locomotor activity and complex heals not only the lumbar region, but the entire body.
Usually, to achieve a positive effect of the treatment is from 10 to 15 treatment sessions. A sharp pain pass through 1-3 session.
Don't forget that the sooner the treatment of degenerative disc disease, the faster will be achieved positive results!